The Help

By: Kathryn Stockett

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, Cassandra Campbell

Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid, Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her 17th white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another.

This edition now includes the afterword "Too Little, Too Late—Kathryn Stockett in Her Own Words", as read by the author.

Bonus Audio: Hear an exclusive interview with Kathryn Stockett.

©2009 Kathryn Stockett, Cover Art: (c) 2011 DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC (P)2009 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The two principal maid characters...leap off the page in all their warm, three dimensional glory...[A] winning novel.” (The New York Times)

“This could be one of the most important pieces of fiction since To Kill a Mockingbird…If you read only one book...let this be it.” (NPR.org)

“A beautiful portrait of a fragmenting world.” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

handled with loving truth

ms. stockett book recreates the 1960's segregation of Jackson Mississippi's hired black house help. incredibly poignant. Beautifully told without being overly sappy or stereotypical of either race. some whites are represented as far more hateful than others, for example.

Wonderful book. I grew up during this time.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, so much better than the movie.

What other book might you compare The Help to and why?

Have not read any any like this.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Minnie and Skeeter. Would have liked a man read the mens part.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. hated to bookmark and could not wait to hear more. Took two days to finish it. Second days I had two hours left on the second day.

Any additional comments?

Always like to read the book before seeing the movie. So much missing in the movie.

Incredible!

I don't have the words to express how this touched my heart... It was riveting. The narrators drew you into the heart of the characters perfectly. The story inspired every emotion...
I would buy ANYTHING written by Kathryn Stockett.
What a masterpiece!

so true to life

Having lived in the deep south for most of my life, I felt I was hearing about my childhood as a white girl in this book. I loved the lady that worked for my family and hearing this story made my ashamed to be a white person. It is beautifully written and tells a true and sad story about the families who had "the help"

Fantastic Book and reading.

What did you love best about The Help?

I love the movie and the book was just as good if not better. I know some will say oh, Mississippi wasn't like that, but when I moved here in the early 80's I found it to be similar to this book. Yes they had changed some, but there was still enough of the older generation who still lived with these beliefs.

Mesmerizing!

This was one of the best books I have read since My Sister's Keeper. All of the narrators bring the book to life. It's as if the maids are sitting with me and telling me their story. I was sorry when it was over, and hope to see more books by Kathryn Stockett.

Fantastic!

As a guy, I wasn't sure this would really be a good book for me, but the reviews were so shining that I had to give it a shot.

It is now one of my favorite audio books.

I feel like I truly lived in Jackson Mississippi. And now that the book is over, I am already missing everyone. I must say I developed a bit of a crush on Miss Skeeter, so I am pretty bummed that I'm not going to hear her voice any more. The narrators really brought all of the characters to life; so much so that I feel like they're all good friends.

The book and the narration are absolutely excellent! Whether you are Male or Female, I am sure you won't be disappointed by this book.

I think I'll wait a little while, and then re-listen again. This book is a treat!

Well done!

What made the experience of listening to The Help the most enjoyable?

The talented ensemble cast of narrators brought this well-written piece to life. Stockett is a gifted storyteller. Her characters are worthy of the listener's empathy, disdain and compassion. Great job!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Help?

Minnie's account of "the pie" when at last she reveals her dirty secret.

What about the narrators???s performance did you like?

The characters in the story, each with her own distinct personality and quirks, came alive through the narrators' acting ability, giving the characters depth and dimension.

5 stars all around.

Beautifully written and read. This novel motivates both insightful thinking and integrity for those times when you will need stand up for what needs to change.

The Best

The Help is probably the best I have ever listened to. I love the detail of this author and the story just pulls you in. I can't wait to hear more from her! I could not stop listening!